Band 4.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-09-14

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

The chart below shows how frequently people in the USA ate in fast food restaurants between 2003 and 2013.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

 

Student answer (Band 4.0)

The chart below shows how frequency of eating at fast food restaurants among people in the USA between 2003 to 2013.

In 2003 every day frequency of eating at fast food restaurants 4 percent. In 2006 every day frequency of eating at fast food restaurants 3 percent. In 2013 every day frequency of eating at fast food restaurants 3 percent.

In 2003 Several times a week frequency of eating at fast food restaurants 17 percent. In 2006 Several times a week frequency of eating at fast food restaurants 20 percent. In 2013 frequency of eating at fast food restaurants 20 percent to 16 percent.

In 2003 Once a week frequency of eating fast food restaurants 31 percent. In 2006 Once a week frequency of eating at fast food restaurants 33 percent. In 2013 Once a week frequency of eating at fast food restaurants 27 percent.

In Once or twice a month frequency of eating at fast food restaurants 30 percent. In 2006 Once or twice a month 25 percent. In 2013 Once or twice a month 33 percent.

In 2003 A few times a year frequency of eating at fast food restaurants 13 percent. In 2006 A few times a year 15 percent. In 2013 the frequency 15 percent.

In 2003 Never frequency 5 percent and in 2006 frequency 4 percent and next 4 percent.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.0

The response attempts to present the data from the chart regarding the frequency of eating in fast food restaurants between 2003 and 2013. However, it fails to provide a proper summary or overview of the main trends. Instead, it relies on a repetitive listing of individual data points for each category across the years (e.g., 'In 2003 every day frequency of eating at fast food restaurants 4 percent'). There is no comparison made between the categories, and critical information such as the unit 'percentage' is handled awkwardly. Furthermore, the opening sentence is incomplete and functions merely as a sentence fragment rather than an introduction. Consequently, the task is addressed only partially, warranting a band score of 4.0 under the descriptors.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 4.0

The text lacks proper paragraphing and an overall logical structure. Instead of organizing the information into coherent paragraphs with clear progression, the student lists each frequency category as a separate, repetitive line. There is a complete absence of cohesive devices or transition words to link ideas together smoothly. Referencing and substitution are not used, and the repetitive sentence stems (e.g., 'In [year] [category] frequency of eating at fast food restaurants...') make the reading experience extremely mechanical and disjointed. This level of organization reflects the descriptors for Band 4, where information and ideas are not arranged coherently.

Lexical Resource — Band 4.0

The vocabulary used is extremely repetitive and basic, relying entirely on copying phrases directly from the prompt and the chart, such as 'frequency of eating at fast food restaurants' and 'percent'. There is no attempt to use synonyms or less common lexical items to paraphrase the data. While the numbers and basic terms are understood, the lack of variety and the constant repetition severely limit the range of vocabulary. This meets the criteria for Band 4, which describes basic, repetitive vocabulary where lexical limitations restrict the response.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 4.0

The response demonstrates a very limited range of grammatical structures. The vast majority of sentences are fragmented and fail to form complete clauses, completely lacking main verbs in many instances (e.g., 'In 2003 every day frequency of eating at fast food restaurants 4 percent'). There are frequent errors in sentence construction and missing grammatical elements, which distort meaning and make the text difficult to read as standard English. Because the structures are severely limited and frequently inaccurate, the response aligns with a band score of 4.0.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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